The Portland daily press., 1887-09-03
oLo TIME YACHTING.
More "reminiscences Of Eary PORT
land craft-The Sad Fate Of a
Pleasure Party In i848.
IHon. William Goold.u

luOn. Hhildm GOOlu.U
In recent communications have described
the earliest Portland pleasure-boats of this
century. About 1925 the interest in boating
had grown among those who enjoyed the
sport. About that time large boat was
built by Capt. Hosea Hartford, a sparmaker,
Capt. Samuel Woodside and John Leavitt,
who kept store on the north corner OF
Fore and Cross streets. The three owners
did much of the work, but 1t was under the
direction of Roberts. The boat was some
thing over 20 feet long with much wider
stern than any of the boats built by Roberts.
She was fitted in the same fashion, with two
masts and two sails, but was not match for
the Laurel, or Capt. McLellan's boat. She
was named the Mechanic, and was kept to
let by Leavitt, when not in use by her own
ers. She was afterwards long owned by
Mansfield of Great Chebeague. who kept a
store there. and was used to freight goods
from town within few years.
Mr.. James Deering, for whom the town
father. and had large farm there as well as
at his home near Deering bridge. In sum-
mer he made frequent visits TO the island,
often taking some of his family and spend
ing the entire day. To do this safely and
comfortably in rough weather required a
yacht Of good size. Inspired by Capt. Thos.
McLellan's success with his boat, Mr.. Deer
ing ordered one from the same builder OF
course she must be little larger than her
predecessors. as all the pioneer yachtsmen
of the town showed increasing interest
in the mosquito fleet.
"Deering's boat" without a name was the
largest in the harbor, and had the regulation
rig of two masts and two sails only. She
had a comfortable trunk cabin which would
shelter quite party, but Of course 1t reduced
the space forithe cockpit. Mr.. Deering was
good sailing-master himself, but he kept
Harry Homer under pay in that capacity
when the yacht was in commission. HON.
er had the privilegeof taking parties down
the bay, or outside when the yacht was not
wanted by her owner. Mr.. Deering had the
boat heavily ballasted for safety, which
checked her speed. She would have been
fast in proper trim. He allowed Homer to
rig out bowsprit and jlb, but with little
Improvement In speed. Like everybody else,
Mr. Deering. as he grew older, lost his love
of sailing, and sold mis- boat to Sterling or
Trefethen Of House Island, who kept her
many years. Justin Kent Il Son, who kept
clothing and sailors outfits on Fore street,
Leader, but she did not lead we'll. do not
know who was her builder, or what was her
end.
HenryDyer, who think Is yet in the busi-
ness, built a sloop Of 20 or more feet In
length for Manuel Peterson, foreigner, for
public use. She was named the Leo. The
upsetting Of this boat about 40 years ago
caused the death of greater number Of per-
sons by drowning at one time than any acci-
dent In the harbor 70 my knowledge. On the
22nd Of July, 1S4S, William j. Smith, a bak-
er, who had been long in the employ Of
Charles Blake, and was afterwards Of the
firm of Pearson Il Smith. bakers ON Willow
street, took his wife and two children on
board the Leo for an afternoons sail. The
sailor, who Boarded at John Whyiey's. a
gunsmith. who had shop on Union street,
and dwelling tenement over It, Stephen
son took four Of Whyley's children with him
in the boat. The party numbered nine per-
hours spent on shore, the party went on
board their boat to return TO the city. When
near Hog Island ledge, from some unex-
planned cause, the boat was upset
and all were thrown into the water
The boat sank leaving the head of her mast
above water. After vain attempts to save
his wife and children, Mr.. Smith was obliged
TO swim to the mast for his own preserva-
ton, where he held ION until his rescue
several hours after. Mrs. Smith and their
two children were drowned. Stephenson
who sailed the boat, made brave effort to
save the Whyley children in his care. He
seized one by her clothing and swan near to
the ledge when the clothing gave way and
she disappeared. He was so exhausted that
he was unable to make further exertiOn, and
the four children of Mr.. Whyley with Mrs
Smith and her two children numbering In all
seven, were drowned. This accident hap
pened about seven O'Clock. Mr.. Edward
Harlow had let his second class boat, the
Fayorite, TO some young men, and she was
about the same time driven onto Fish Point,
and the young men landed and walked 70
town and informed Mr.. Harlow Of the situ-
alton Of his boat He Immediately went to
Fish Point and while there he heard the
cries of Smith on the mast, and Stephenson
on the ledge, and went to their relief Only
three of the bodies of the drowned were re-
covered, although the revenue cutter was
anchored near.the spot for several days and
her mournful guns sounded through the
town, but they failed to raise the bodies
Mr.. Smith Is worthy man, and is now an
inmate Of the Aged Mems Home on Dan
forth street.
There was large lap-streak boat owned
here. which drowned the Bangs brothers in
the harb0r. She was called the Mary Ellen
and was sold to Chadbourn and Mr.. Horr at
the carrying place at the foot Of Lake
oeDago. horr was sailing on the lake in the
summer OF 1926 with the proprietors of the
Mlndham powder mill on board Their
struck by squall and went down with the
iour M persons on board. Nothing ever float
ed but one hat
There was similarly built boat in the bay
cred unsafe.
1 have mentioned the yacht waterlilly in
connection with the drowning Of the llsley